Hamas said on Thursday it would release the next group of Israeli hostages after vowing it won’t proceed with the plans.
The development is coming after US Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of resumed hostility if the hostages are not released on Saturday.
The Hamas militant group said in a statement, it based it decision on Egyptian and Qatari mediator’s assurance that they will work to “remove all hurdles,” after agreeing to implement the ceasefire deal.
There was no immediate comment from Israel after Hamas’ announcement, but the move would allow the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to continue for now, however, its future remains in doubt.
Earlier, Hamas had threatened to delay the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters, among other alleged violations of the truce.
However, Hamas said its delegation held talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials and was in contact with Qatar’s prime minister about increasing the entry of shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble into Gaza.
Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV, which is close to the country’s security services, reported that Egypt and Qatar had succeeded in resolving the dispute. The two Arab countries have served as key mediators with Hamas and helped broker the ceasefire, which took effect in January, 15 months into the war.
